Miller warns of school funding shortfall

Published: Tuesday, May 7, 2013 at 6:01 a.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, May 7, 2013 at 11:30 p.m.

Gadsden City Schools Superintendent Ed Miller on Tuesday told the City Council that spending cuts could cost the system as much as $1 million next year.

Miller said there will be cuts because of federal sequestration, and the system also will lose funding from legislation that will provide scholarships to private schools.

He said the Legislature has designated $70 million to fund the Alabama Accountability Act that will provide tax credits to students who want to transfer from failing schools. The act will cost the system a little more than $500,000.

Sequestration will result in a loss of as much as 10 percent of federal funds when everything is taken into consideration, which Miller said would cost the system $300,000 to $400,000. Other cuts could push the total to about $1 million.

Despite the cuts, Miller said, the system will continue to offer quality program and said test scores should continue to improve.

Other items he related to the council:

• The system had three state winners from Gadsden City High School’s career tech program. Rashard Carter won first place in heating and air conditioning, Tyler Brown won second place in automotive and Addison Rains was third in health science. They will represent the state and Gadsden City Schools in the national competition this summer.

• Enrollment in career technical programs is up 10 percent, and Miller said more students are enrolled in those programs than ever before. He said the system also is working with Gadsden State Community College on career tech programs as part of a duel enrollment program when the system does not offer a program.

• The school’s cheerleading squad won first place in national Jamfest competition.

• The system in March finished its national accreditation by AdvancED and got a “great report.”

• Graduation at Gadsden City High School has been moved to 5 p.m. May 24.

<p>Gadsden City Schools Superintendent Ed Miller on Tuesday told the City Council that spending cuts could cost the system as much as $1 million next year.</p><p>Miller said there will be cuts because of federal sequestration, and the system also will lose funding from legislation that will provide scholarships to private schools.</p><p>He said the Legislature has designated $70 million to fund the Alabama Accountability Act that will provide tax credits to students who want to transfer from failing schools. The act will cost the system a little more than $500,000.</p><p>Sequestration will result in a loss of as much as 10 percent of federal funds when everything is taken into consideration, which Miller said would cost the system $300,000 to $400,000. Other cuts could push the total to about $1 million.</p><p>Despite the cuts, Miller said, the system will continue to offer quality program and said test scores should continue to improve.</p><p>Other items he related to the council:</p><p>• The system had three state winners from Gadsden City High School's career tech program. Rashard Carter won first place in heating and air conditioning, Tyler Brown won second place in automotive and Addison Rains was third in health science. They will represent the state and Gadsden City Schools in the national competition this summer.</p><p>• Enrollment in career technical programs is up 10 percent, and Miller said more students are enrolled in those programs than ever before. He said the system also is working with <a href="http://www.gadsdentimes.com/section/TOPIC0201/"><b>Gadsden State</b></a> Community College on career tech programs as part of a duel enrollment program when the system does not offer a program.</p><p>• The school's cheerleading squad won first place in national Jamfest competition.</p><p>• The system in March finished its national accreditation by AdvancED and got a “great report.”</p><p>• Graduation at Gadsden City High School has been moved to 5 p.m. May 24.</p>